With Cisco Network Boot, a computer without a directly attached disk drive uses iSCSI protocol via an iSCSI driver to boot from an iSCSI disk through an IP network and a Cisco SN 5400 or MDS 9000 Series system (see Figure 1). As with any iSCSI disk, even though it is not directly attached to the computer accessing it, the disk appears to the computer as if it were directly attached.

Note The iSCSI protocol is an IETF-defined protocol for IP storage (ips). For more information about the iSCSI protocol, refer to the IETF standards for IP storage at http://www.ietf.org.

This utility has been tested and is verified to work with the following distributions out-of-the-box:

•Red Hat Linux 9.0

•Red Hat Advanced Server 2.1

•SuSE SLES8

•SuSE xxx

Note Modifications to these standard distributions may cause unexpected problems.

New and Changed Information

Cisco Network Boot Replication Utility for Linux, release 3.2.2, includes the following new and changed features:

•Additional kernel support—includes support for a Linux kernel version 2.6.

•Expanded location choices for kernel images—provides the user with the freedom of placing the current running kernel image at any place or location. The current running kernel is no longer restricted to /boot.

•Expanded partition choices for kernel images—provides the user with the freedom of placing the current running kernel image on a partition other than root ("/").

Installation Notes

For complete installation information, see the readme file included in the Cisco Network Boot Replication Utility for Linux, release 3.2.2, download package.

Obtaining Updated Software

Registered Cisco.com users can download the most current Cisco Network Boot software (including the Cisco Network Boot Replication Utility for Linux), from Cisco.com.

You can access software and related information by following these instructions:

Step 4 At the Software Download web page, click the file that you want to download. Another software download web page will be displayed with detailed information about the download file and Cisco's Software License Agreement. Follow the instructions on that and any subsequent web pages to download the software.

Related Documentation

The following sections describe the related documentation available for Cisco Network Boot Replication Utility for Linux, release 3.2.2. These documents consist of an installation and configuration guide, release notes and readme file for Cisco Network Boot.

The Cisco Network Boot Installation and Configuration Guide is available as an electronic document on Cisco.com and the Documentation CD-ROM. The Cisco Network Boot readme file and release notes files are available in electronic format, as part of the software download package. See the "Obtaining Updated Software" section for details.

Release-Specific Documents

This release notes document and the readme file are the only documents specific to Cisco Network Boot Replication Utility for Linux, release 3.2.2. The release notes document is only available as an electronic document on Cisco.com and the Documentation CD-ROM. The readme file is available as part of the software download package.

Software Documents

Refer to the Cisco Network Boot Installation and Configuration Guide Release 3.2,for installation and configuration information and procedures. This document is available as an electronic document on Cisco.com and the Documentation CD-ROM.

Service and Support

For service and support for a product purchased from a reseller, contact the reseller, who offers a wide variety of Cisco service and support programs described in "Service and Support" of Cisco Information Packet shipped with your product.

Note If you purchased your product from a reseller, you can access Cisco.com as a guest. Cisco.com is Cisco Systems' primary real-time support channel. Your reseller offers programs that include direct access to Cisco.com services.

For service and support for a product purchased directly from Cisco, use Cisco.com.

Obtaining Documentation

Cisco documentation and additional literature are available on Cisco.com. Cisco also provides several ways to obtain technical assistance and other technical resources. These sections explain how to obtain technical information from Cisco Systems.

Cisco.com

You can access the most current Cisco documentation on the World Wide Web at this URL:

Obtaining Technical Assistance

For all customers, partners, resellers, and distributors who hold valid Cisco service contracts, the Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC) provides 24-hour-a-day, award-winning technical support services, online and over the phone. Cisco.com features the Cisco TAC website as an online starting point for technical assistance. If you do not hold a valid Cisco service contract, please contact your reseller.

Cisco TAC Website

The Cisco TAC website provides online documents and tools for troubleshooting and resolving technical issues with Cisco products and technologies. The Cisco TAC website is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The Cisco TAC website is located at this URL:

Opening a TAC Case

Using the online TAC Case Open Tool is the fastest way to open P3 and P4 cases. (P3 and P4 cases are those in which your network is minimally impaired or for which you require product information.) After you describe your situation, the TAC Case Open Tool automatically recommends resources for an immediate solution. If your issue is not resolved using the recommended resources, your case will be assigned to a Cisco TAC engineer. The online TAC Case Open Tool is located at this URL:

For P1 or P2 cases (P1 and P2 cases are those in which your production network is down or severely degraded) or if you do not have Internet access, contact Cisco TAC by telephone. Cisco TAC engineers are assigned immediately to P1 and P2 cases to help keep your business operations running smoothly.

TAC Case Priority Definitions

To ensure that all cases are reported in a standard format, Cisco has established case priority definitions.

Priority 1 (P1)—Your network is "down" or there is a critical impact to your business operations. You and Cisco will commit all necessary resources around the clock to resolve the situation.

Priority 2 (P2)—Operation of an existing network is severely degraded, or significant aspects of your business operation are negatively affected by inadequate performance of Cisco products. You and Cisco will commit full-time resources during normal business hours to resolve the situation.

Priority 3 (P3)—Operational performance of your network is impaired, but most business operations remain functional. You and Cisco will commit resources during normal business hours to restore service to satisfactory levels.

Priority 4 (P4)—You require information or assistance with Cisco product capabilities, installation, or configuration. There is little or no effect on your business operations.

Obtaining Additional Publications and Information

Information about Cisco products, technologies, and network solutions is available from various online and printed sources.

•Cisco Marketplace provides a variety of Cisco books, reference guides, and logo merchandise. Go to this URL to visit the company store:

•Cisco Press publishes a wide range of general networking, training and certification titles. Both new and experienced users will benefit from these publications. For current Cisco Press titles and other information, go to Cisco Press online at this URL:

•Packet magazine is the Cisco quarterly publication that provides the latest networking trends, technology breakthroughs, and Cisco products and solutions to help industry professionals get the most from their networking investment. Included are networking deployment and troubleshooting tips, configuration examples, customer case studies, tutorials and training, certification information, and links to numerous in-depth online resources. You can access Packet magazine at this URL:

•Internet Protocol Journal is a quarterly journal published by Cisco Systems for engineering professionals involved in designing, developing, and operating public and private internets and intranets. You can access the Internet Protocol Journal at this URL: